Tablets control otter robots

Scientists have successfully developed a robot that can receive commands from afar to operate underwater. The robot is named AQUA, quite small but agile, flexible. It swims with flippers rather than a propeller or propeller, which is used to collect complex data from shipwrecks or information in coral reefs.

AQUA robots can receive commands remotely to operate under water.

AQUA is designed by a group of Canadian universities, which can be operated under water with a waterproof tablet. When operating underwater, the computer displays programs in the form of cards on the screen, similar to bar codes read by smartphones. Camera on the robot will scan two-way cards to receive and execute commands.

The use of wires is always a challenge for scientists. Water obstructs the radio signal, preventing traditional wireless communication through the modem. Meanwhile, communication, communication through the umbilical wires, but quite clear and safe for diving equipment.

The Daily Mail quoted Professor Michael Jenkin as saying that the shipwreck investigation was an example of information transmission. It's a complex, subtle operation, both divers and robots need to react quickly. Failure or delay in communication can be dangerous.

The AQUA tablet is tested for waterproof capability at 18m depth. It is covered by an aluminum frame and is covered with an acrylic layer, which is used to be controlled by a diver through switch nodes. This tablet can also be used to control the robot as easily as the way people play games with the joystick.

The test is done in two ways. In wired mode, the tablet connects to the robot by a small optical cable to control. This optical cable also allows AQUA to provide video feeds from the camera to operate. In wireless mode, the robot receives commands through flash light, and the camera can be used to create 3D models of the environment in which it operates to guide robots performing specific tasks.

Video on the otter robot and tablet PC.